September 12th, 2024

St Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
07.08.24

Luke 6; 1-5

Reflection
Legalism is a curse. It's so much of a curse that one of the primary reasons for Paul's letter to the Galatians was specifically to combat it. [1] However, Jesus had to battle those who used their legalistic knowledge of the Scriptures to challenge him to justify what his disciples did. So, as he did on several occasions, Jesus beat them at their own game. If they were going to make what his disciples did a sin by "straining gnats" of the law and their tradition, then Jesus would answer them by doing the same. Jesus had already made his point repeatedly in the preceding story: [2] With Jesus, God was doing something new, and there would be no business as usual — with Jesus present, it was a time of joy and a time of change.

Prayer

Father, please help me never abuse your Scriptures by trying to justify what I do or don't do, attempting to make myself look better than other folks seeking to honor you. Forgive me for the times in the past that I have done this. I am genuinely sorry. In the name of Jesus, I ask.

Amen.